Eye-fundus image output device and method, and program

ABSTRACT

There is provided an eye-fundus image output device including a selection unit configured to select a site of a presented eye-fundus image, an optimization unit configured to optimize an image of the selected site, and an output unit configured to output an image in which the selected site has been optimized.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/646,545, filed on May 21, 2015, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety, which was the National Stageof International Application No. PCT/JP2014/053002, filed on Feb. 10,2014, which claimed the benefit of priority from Japanese ApplicationNo. 2013-033494, filed on Feb. 22, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology relates to an eye-fundus image output device andmethod, and a program, and particularly to an eye-fundus image outputdevice and method, and a program which enable an image in which adesired site of an eye fundus is easy to view to be output quickly.

BACKGROUND ART

Different sites of an eye fundus of a human being significantly vary inbrightness, and for example, a macular area is dark and an optic discportion is quite bright in comparison to other portions. For thisreason, when the eye fundus is presented on a display with brightness atwhich the macular area is easily observed, an image of the optic discportion becomes completely white. Conversely, when the eye fundus ispresented with brightness at which the optic disc portion is easilyobserved, an image of the macular area and the like becomes completelyblack in most cases. This phenomenon has been an obstacle in diagnosisusing eye-fundus images for a long period of time. The completewhiteness and blackness described above are attributable to aninsufficient dynamic range of an image sensor when an image isphotographed and an insufficient dynamic range of a display thatpresents an eye-fundus image.

As a method for overcoming the insufficient dynamic range of an imagesensor, for example, combining images photographed a plurality of timesunder different exposure conditions has been proposed (Patent Literature1). However, even though an image with a sufficient dynamic range forexpressing an eye fundus is obtained using the method, if the dynamicrange of a display which expresses the image is insufficient, the imageto be expressed becomes completely white or completely black after all.

As a method for overcoming an insufficient dynamic range of a display,for example, allocating more levels of a grayscale to a target site tobe noted than to other portions when the grayscale of an input image iscorrected has been proposed (Patent Literature 2). In addition, whenthere are a plurality of sites to be noted, for example, generating andstoring a plurality of images in which the respective sites are easilyviewed in a stage in which the images are to be stored has been proposed(Patent Literature 3).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2011-31027A

Patent Literature 2: JP 2000-197608A

Patent Literature 3: JP 2003-52639A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In the proposals, however, prior to interpretation of radiography of theimage by a doctor, a photographer should decide a site to be noted andan adjustment method of the image based on the site in advance. As aresult, at the time not of photographing but of interpretation, it isnot possible for the doctor or the like to adjust the image so that heor she can easily observe it according to the site to be noted. Morespecifically, it is difficult to adjust the image while sequentiallychanging the site to be noted in real time.

The present technology takes the above circumstances into consideration,and aims to enable an image in which a desired site of an eye fundus iseasily viewed to be output quickly.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aneye-fundus image output device including: a selection unit configured toselect a site of a presented eye-fundus image; an optimization unitconfigured to optimize an image of the selected site; and an output unitconfigured to output an image in which the selected site has beenoptimized.

A generation unit can be further included, the generation unit beingconfigured to generate a presentation image that is obtained bycombining a GUI that includes a manipulation unit that is manipulated bya user when a plurality of grayscale adjustment modes are to be set withthe eye-fundus image.

The GUI can select, as the grayscale adjustment modes, at least two of amode in which the site is selected, a mode in which an image of apredetermined range in the periphery of the designated position isoptimized, or a mode in which an optimization value of the image isdesignated.

The GUI can include a manipulation unit that is manipulated when atleast a macular area or an optic disc portion is selected as the site inthe mode in which the site is selected.

When the mode in which an image in the periphery of the designatedposition is optimized is selected as the grayscale adjustment mode, theoptimization unit can optimize the image of the predetermined range inthe periphery of the designated position.

When the mode in which an optimization value of the image is designatedis selected as the grayscale adjustment mode, the optimization unit canoptimize the image to have the designated optimization value.

In the mode in which an optimization value of the image is designated,the GUI can include a manipulation unit that is manipulated when theoptimization value is to be designated.

In the mode in which an optimization value of the image is designated,the manipulation unit that is manipulated when the optimization value ofthe image is designated can be disposed at a position corresponding to avalue disposed in the immediately previous grayscale adjustment mode.

The position corresponding to the value disposed in the immediatelyprevious grayscale adjustment mode of the manipulation unit can be setto a center of a variable range.

The optimization can be performed by adjusting brightness or contrast ofthe image.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a selection unitselects a site of a presented eye-fundus image, an optimization unitoptimizes an image of the selected site; and an output unit outputs animage in which the selected site has been optimized.

A method and a program according to an aspect of the present technologyare a method and a program that correspond to an eye-fundus image outputdevice of an aspect of the present technology described above.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to an aspect of the present technology, itis possible to quickly output an image in which a desired site of an eyefundus is easily visible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodimentof an eye-fundus image output device of the present technology.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing an example of a display process.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of animage processing unit.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing an optimization process of a set mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image inan initial mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image in asite selection mode.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart describing an updating process of thepresentation image in the site selection mode.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ofwhich a grayscale has been adjusted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of gain adjustment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of contrastadjustment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina pointing mode.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing an updating process of thepresentation image in the pointing mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina pointing mode.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina slider mode.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart describing an updating process of thepresentation image in the slider mode.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina slider mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina slider mode.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image ina slider mode.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present technology (hereinafterreferred to as embodiments) will be described. It should be noted thatdescription will be provided in the following order.

1. Configuration of an eye-fundus image output device

2. Image display process

3. Configuration of an image processing unit

4. Optimization process of a set mode

5. Site selection mode

6. Adjustment of gain and contrast

7. Pointing mode

8. Slider mode

9. Application to a program of the present technology

10. Other configurations

[Configuration of an Eye-Fundus Image Output Device]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodimentof an eye-fundus image output device 1 of the present technology. Theeye-fundus image output device 1 is constituted by an image acquisitionunit 11, an image processing unit 12, a control unit 13, a presentationimage generation unit 14, an image presentation unit 15, a user inputunit 16, and a storage unit 17.

The image acquisition unit 11 has, for example, a charge coupled device(CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)image sensor, or the like to capture an eye-fundus image of a subjecteye 21 of an examinee. The image acquired by the image acquisition unit11 is supplied to the image processing unit 12 in real time. The imageprocessing unit 12 is configured as, for example, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), which performs an optimization process on the inputimage from the image acquisition unit 11 based on a user instructionfrom the control unit 13 and outputs a result of the process as anadjusted image to the presentation image generation unit 14.

The user instruction from the control unit 13 can be a parameter relatedto adjustment of a grayscale for optimization, and can also be an imagerange to be noted for the adjustment of the grayscale or information ofa site to be noted for the adjustment of the grayscale. When the imageprocessing unit 12 receives the image range or the information of thesite to be noted, a parameter of image adjustment that is likely tocause the target to be noted to be easily visible is computed,information related to the image adjustment such as a result thereof istransmitted to the control unit 13 as adjustment information, and thenthe adjustment of the image is performed. It should be noted that, uponreceiving the information related to the site that is set as a target tobe noted, the image processing unit 12 detects the corresponding sitewithin the input image, and computes the parameter of the imageadjustment.

The control unit 13 is configured as, for example, a central processingunit (CPU) or the like, and controls each unit according to a programstored in the storage unit 17. The user input unit 16 is configured as,for example, a mouse serving as a pointing device, a keyboard, or thelike. A user manipulates the user input unit 16 to perform input foradjusting a presented eye-fundus image while checking an image fordisplay presented in the image presentation unit 15. A result of a userinput using the user input unit 16 is transferred to the control unit13.

This user input, for example, a position pointed to with the mouse orinformation on clicking, is converted into user input interpretation bythe control unit 13 based on a presentation image presented to the user.The control unit 13 retains a grayscale adjustment mode of the image orgrayscale adjustment information of the past, decides image processingto be performed by adding information of the user input interpretationto the information, and transmits a result thereof to the imageprocessing unit 12 as a user instruction. In addition, based on thegrayscale adjustment mode or the grayscale adjustment information of thepast and the information of the user input interpretation, the controlunit 13 decides a menu or the like as a graphical user interface (GUI)to be presented in a presentation image, and transmits the menu or thelike to the presentation image generation unit 14 as an instruction ofdisplay for user input.

The presentation image generation unit 14 receives the adjusted imagefrom the image processing unit 12, combines the image with the image foruser input based on the instruction of the display for user input fromthe control unit 13, and then outputs the result to the imagepresentation unit 15 as a presentation image. The image presentationunit 15 configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD), a speaker, and thelike presents the presentation image received from the presentationimage generation unit 14.

The storage unit 17 is configured as a hard disk, a semiconductormemory, or the like, and stores programs, data, and the like of thecontrol unit 13, the image processing unit 12, and the like according tonecessity.

[Image Display Process]

Next, an image display process of the eye-fundus image output device 1will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing an example of adisplay process. This process starts when the user manipulates the userinput unit 16 to instruct that the process begin.

The control unit 13 sets a grayscale adjustment mode to an initial modein Step S1. It is of course possible to set the grayscale adjustmentmode to another mode.

The image processing unit 12 executes an optimization process of the setmode in Step S2. Although details thereof will be described below withreference to FIG. 4, the optimization process of the predeterminedgrayscale adjustment mode is accordingly executed. In this case, theoptimization process of the initial mode is executed.

The control unit 13 sets a grayscale adjustment mode in Step S3.Specifically, when it is determined that a change of the grayscaleadjustment mode has been instructed in Step S32 of FIG. 4 to bedescribed below, the process of Step S3 is executed. In other words,when the user instructs a change of the grayscale adjustment mode, thechanged grayscale adjustment mode is set.

Then, the process returns to Step S2, and the optimization of thegrayscale adjustment mode set in Step S3 is executed.

The above process is repeatedly executed until an end of the process isinstructed.

[Configuration of an Image Processing Unit]

The image processing unit 12 which executes the process of Step S2 ofFIG. 2 has a configuration with which various functions shown in FIG. 3are executed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functionalconfiguration of the image processing unit 12.

An output unit 31 outputs an adjusted image. A determination unit 32executes various determination processes. An optimization unit 33 whichexecutes the optimization process of an image has a detection unit 41and an adjustment unit 42. The detection unit 41 detects a predeterminedregion from an image. The adjustment unit 42 adjusts the grayscale ofthe image in order to optimize the image.

[Optimization Process of a Set Mode]

Next, the optimization process of the set mode of Step S2 of FIG. 2 willbe described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing the optimization processof the set mode of Step S2 of FIG. 2.

From now on, the optimization process of the set mode of FIG. 4 will bedescribed on the assumption that the initial mode has been set in StepS1 of FIG. 2.

The output unit 31 of the image processing unit 12 presents apresentation image in Step S31. Specifically, the image acquisition unit11 photographs the eye fundus of the subject eye 21 of the examinee andinputs the image to the image processing unit 12. The adjustment unit 42of the optimization unit 33 adjusts the image to be an image withbrightness and contrast of the initial mode set in advance. The outputunit 31 outputs the image adjusted (in other words, optimized) by theadjustment unit 42 to the presentation image generation unit 14 as anadjusted image.

The presentation image generation unit 14 also receives an input of aninstruction of GUI generation from the control unit 13. The presentationimage generation unit 14 generates a necessary GUI for the user tocontrol image display in compliance with the instruction, and thencombines the GUI with the adjusted image. The combined image is suppliedto the image presentation unit 15 and then presented. It should be notedthat the user here in many cases is not a general photographer but adoctor who makes a medical determination based on a presentation image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation imagedisplayed on the image presentation unit 15 in the initial mode asdescribed above. In the example of FIG. 5, an image 71 of a fundussupplied from the image processing unit 12 to a region 61 is displayed.In the image 71, an optic disc portion 121, a macular area 122, bloodvessels 123, and the like are shown. In a region 62, manipulation unitsmanipulated by a user to perform adjustment of the grayscale aredisplayed. In the case of the example, three grayscale adjustment modesare prepared, and thus as the manipulation units, a site selectionbutton 81, a pointing button 82, and a slider button 83 are displayed.In addition, an end button 84 is displayed.

The site selection button 81 is manipulated when a site selection modeis to be set. The pointing button 82 is manipulated when a pointing modeis to be set. The slider button 83 is manipulated when a slider mode isto be set. The end button 84 is manipulated to return a grayscaleadjustment mode to the initial mode.

The manipulation units can also be set as icons displaying figures,images, and the like which remind the user of such modes, rather thandisplaying letters.

Returning to FIG. 4, in the state in which the image is presented on theimage presentation unit 15 in Step S31 as described above, thedetermination unit 32 determines whether a change of the grayscaleadjustment mode has been instructed in Step S32. The user manipulatesthe site selection button 81 when the site selection mode is set,manipulates the pointing button 82 when the pointing mode is set, andmanipulates the slider button 83 when the slider mode is set. Thedetermination unit 32 determines which button has been manipulated.

When no button has been manipulated, the determination unit 32determines whether a change with respect to the presentation image hasbeen instructed in Step S33. The instruction of the change with respectto the presentation image refers to, for example, an instruction basedon a manipulation of an optic disc portion button 111, a macular areabutton 112, a medium-large blood vessel portion 113, and the like ofFIG. 6 to be described below, or an instruction based on a manipulationof sliders 204, 204-1, 204-2, or the like of FIGS. 14, 17, and 18.

In the initial mode, an instruction of a change with respect to thepresentation image is set not to be received. Thus, in the initial mode,Step S33 is determined to be NO at all times, and thus the processreturns to Step S32. As a result, when the user manipulates any modebutton in the initial mode, Step S32 is determined to be YES, theprocess proceeds to Step S3 of FIG. 2, and thus the grayscale adjustmentmode selected by the user is set.

[Site Selection Mode]

Now, it will be assumed that the user has manipulated the site selectionbutton 81 to select a predetermined site in the initial mode. In thiscase, it is determined in Step S32 of FIG. 4 that a change of thegrayscale adjustment mode has been instructed. Then, the processproceeds to the process of Step S3 of FIG. 2, and then the control unit13 sets the site selection mode selected by the user as the grayscaleadjustment mode. Then, the process returns to Step S2, and theoptimization process of the set mode of FIG. 4 is executed on the siteselection mode.

In Step S31 in the site selection mode, the control unit 13 causes, forexample, a GUI screen illustrated in FIG. 6 to be displayed. FIG. 6 is adiagram illustrating an example of a presentation image in a siteselection mode. In the example of FIG. 6, the letters that refer to thesite selection mode that is the selected grayscale adjustment mode aredisplayed in a region 101. In addition, buttons named after sitesselected by the user are displayed in a region 102. In this example,buttons including the optic disc portion button 111, the macular areabutton 112, the medium-large blood vessel portion button 113, and thelike are displayed. These buttons can also be prepared as icons.

The optic disc portion button 111 is manipulated when a site to be notedis set to the optic disc portion 121. The macular area button 112 ismanipulated when the site to be noted is set to the macular area 122.The medium-large blood vessel portion button 113 is manipulated when thesite to be noted is set to a medium-large blood vessel portion 124.

The determination unit 32 determines whether a change of the grayscaleadjustment mode has been instructed in Step S32 of FIG. 4. When thechange of the grayscale adjustment mode has not been instructed, thedetermination unit 32 determines in Step S33 whether a change withrespect to the presentation image has been instructed. Since the siteselection mode has been set now, the user selects any of the buttonsdisplayed in the region 102 to select a site. That is to say, any buttonof the optic disc portion button 111, the macular area button 112, themedium-large blood vessel portion button 113, and the like ismanipulated. When any button has been manipulated, it is determined inStep S33 that the change of the grayscale adjustment mode has beeninstructed, and the updating process of the presentation image of StepS34 is executed.

Herein, the updating process of the presentation image in the siteselection mode will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is aflow chart describing the updating process of the presentation image inthe site selection mode of Step S34.

The detection unit 41 of the optimization unit 33 detects the region ofa selected site in Step S51. For example, when the optic disc portionbutton 111, the macular area button 112, or the medium-large bloodvessel portion button 113 is manipulated, the optic disc portion 121,the macular area 122, or the medium-large blood vessel portion 124 isdetected.

The adjustment unit 42 adjusts in Step S52 the grayscale of the areadetected in the process of Step S51. That is to say, at least one orboth of brightness and contrast of the image is adjusted to apredetermined value. The adjusted image is supplied to the presentationimage generation unit 14 by the output unit 31, and then presented onthe image presentation unit 15.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the presentation image ofwhich the grayscale has been adjusted when the macular area button 112has been selected. As is obvious from comparison of the image 71 of FIG.8 to the image 71 of FIG. 6, while the macular area 122 is dark anddifficult to view in the image 71 of FIG. 6 (that is, the input image),in the image 71 of FIG. 8, the macular area 122 is bright and easy toview.

As described above, with only a simple manipulation of selecting a site,an image of the site is optimized and presented, and interpretationthereof becomes easy. Particularly, even when there are a plurality ofsites to be noted, the manipulation is easy because each of the sites isonly selected. In addition, since a selected site is set to beoptimized, interpretation can be performed quickly in comparison to whenan optimized image is prepared and stored in advance. In other words, itis possible to perform interpretation on an image obtained fromphotographing in real time. Thus, management and complication at thetime of storage of a Hindus image can be reduced, and data volume can besuppressed from increasing.

[Adjustment of Gain and Contrast]

When brightness is adjusted, specifically gain is adjusted. FIG. 9 is adiagram illustrating characteristics of gain adjustment. A of FIG. 9shows the characteristic when small gain is set, in which the level ofan output image changes in direct proportion to the level of an inputimage. B of FIG. 9 shows the characteristic when default gain is set, inwhich, while the level of the input image reaches a predeterminedthreshold value L1, the level of the output image changes in directproportion to the level of the input image. When the level of the inputincreases greater than the threshold value L1, the level of the outputimage is fixed to its maximum value. In the initial mode, the imageadjustment is performed with the characteristic of B of FIG. 9.

On the other hand, C of FIG. 9 shows the characteristic when large gainis set, in which, while the level of the input image reaches apredetermined threshold value L2, the level of the output image changesin direct proportion to the level of the input image. When the level ofthe input is greater than the threshold value L2, the level of theoutput image is fixed to its maximum value. In addition, the thresholdvalue L2 is smaller than the threshold value L1. When the macular areabutton 112 is manipulated and thus the macular area 12 is set as a siteto be noted, image adjustment is performed with the characteristic of Cof FIG. 9. That is to say, since the characteristic of C of FIG. 9causes a dark region to appear bright, the macular area 122 that isdarker than the optic disc portion 121 is expressed in a bright andeasy-to-view state. The bright optic disc portion 121 becomes completewhite, but this does not matter because the current site to be noted isthe macular area 122.

It should be noted that, when large gain is set as illustrated in C ofFIG. 9, for example, a relatively low level of the input image is outputas a maximum level in an adjusted image. In order to set the quality ofthe adjusted image to be easy for diagnosis even in the above case, itis desirable for the dynamic range of the input image to be sufficientlywide.

That is to say, when an input image of which each pixel is expressedwith 8 bits is displayed on a display that enables 8-bit grayscaledisplay, for example, if the characteristic shown in A of FIG. 9 isused, the 8 bits of the input image can be used as 8 bits to be suppliedto the display without change. On the other hand, when thecharacteristic shown in C of FIG. 9 is used, a partial range of the 8bits of the input image is enlarged to 8 bits and then supplied to thedisplay. Thus, the grayscale has missing parts in the presentationimage, and thereby degradation of image quality, for example, a falsecontour or the like, occurs. In order to avoid such a situation, whendisplay is performed on a display which enables 8-bit grayscale display,for example, it is desirable to use an image having a wide dynamic rangein which several bits are added to the LSB side so that the grayscale ofthe input image can be finely segmented with respect to the 8 bits.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating characteristics of contrastadjustment. A of FIG. 10 shows the characteristic when contrast is notadjusted, in which the level of an output image changes in directproportion to the level of an input image. B of FIG. 10 shows thecharacteristic when a site to be noted is made easily visible, in which,while the level of the input image reaches a predetermined thresholdvalue L11, the level of the output image changes substantially in directproportion to the level of the input image. However, the level of theinput sharply increases in the vicinity of the threshold value L11 (thecharacteristic becomes steep). This means that a larger number ofgrayscales are allocated to brightness of the vicinity of the thresholdvalue L11 of the input image and then image adjustment is performed.When brightness of the input image becomes higher than the thresholdvalue L11, the level of the output image converges on its maximum value.When the macular area 122 is a site to be noted, image adjustment isperformed with this characteristic of B of FIG. 10. That is to say,brightness of the macular area 122 of the input image is set in thevicinity of the threshold value L11.

On the other hand, C of FIG. 10 shows the characteristic when two sitesto be noted are set, in which, while the level of the input imagereaches the predetermined threshold value L11, the level of the outputimage changes substantially in direct proportion to the level of theinput image. However, when the level of the input sharply increases inthe vicinity of the threshold value L11 (the characteristic becomessteep) and further increases, the level of the output image increasessubstantially in direct proportion to the level of the input image. Inaddition, when the level of the input sharply increases in the vicinityof a threshold value L12 (L12>L11) (the characteristic becomes steep)and further increases, it converges on its maximum value. That is tosay, in this case, a larger number of grayscales are allocated tobrightness of the vicinity not only of the threshold value L11 of theinput image but also of the threshold value L12 and then imageadjustment is performed.

When both of the macular area 122 and the optic disc portion 121 are setas sites to be noted, for example, image adjustment is performed withthe characteristic of C of FIG. 10. Contrast of the macular area 122that is darker is adjusted in the vicinity of the threshold value L11,and contrast of the optic disc portion 121 that is brighter is adjustedin the vicinity of the threshold value L12.

With the operation described above, image processing for the selectedsite to be noted is executed in Step S34 of FIG. 4, and then the imageis displayed. That is to say, when the optic disc portion button 111 orthe medium-large blood vessel portion button 113 is manipulated, a sitecorresponding to that button is set as a site to be noted, and imageadjustment is performed for the site.

It should be noted that an image that has not undergone so-called gammacorrection for correcting conversion of the grayscale that isattributable to a display may be input as an input image and then theprocess of gamma correction may be performed on the adjusted image inthe presentation image generation unit 14. In addition, an image thathas undergone gamma correction may be input as an input image and thenthe process of gamma correction may not be performed in the presentationimage generation unit 14. Furthermore, when an image that has undergonegamma correction is used as an input image, the level thereof may becaused to return once to the image level prior to gamma correctionbefore grayscale adjustment is performed in the image processing unit12, and then after the grayscale adjustment is performed, gammacorrection may be performed on the adjusted image in the presentationimage generation unit 14.

[Pointing Mode]

Next, a process performed when the user manipulates the pointing button82 will be described. In this case, it is determined in Step S32 of FIG.4 that a change of the grayscale adjustment mode has been instructed,and the pointing mode is set in Step S3 of FIG. 2. Then, an image of thepointing mode as illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed in Step S31 of FIG.4.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the presentation imagein the pointing mode. In the example of FIG. 11, the letters that referto the pointing mode are displayed in the region 101. In addition, across-shaped pointer 151 is displayed in a region 61, and a circularmark 152 that indicates the range from the center of the pointer 151 isdisplayed as well. The mark 152 indicates the range within which imageadjustment (optimization) is performed. The mark 152 can be an arbitraryshape, for example, a rectangular shape.

The user manipulates the user input unit 16 to move the pointer 151 tothe center position of an arbitrary range for which image adjustment isdesired to be performed. Then, completion of position designation isordered by performing a clicking manipulation or the like. At this time,the change with respect to the presentation image is determined to havebeen instructed in Step S33 of FIG. 4, and the updating process of thepresentation image of Step S34 is executed. The process of this casewill be described with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart describing the updating process of thepresentation image in the pointing mode. The adjustment unit 42 adjuststhe grayscale of the instructed area in Step S71. In other words, inorder to set the image of the range indicated by the mark 152 to be moreeasily visible, at least one or both of brightness and contrast thereofis adjusted (i.e., optimized).

In the example of FIG. 11, the mark 152 is set to have a pre-decidedsize; however, it is possible to set an arbitrary range thereof asillustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating anotherexample of the presentation image in the pointing mode. In the exampleof FIG. 13, a rectangular range having two points designated by the userwith the pointer 151 as diagonal points is indicated as the mark 152,and the inside of the range is set as a target of image adjustment.

As described above, with a simple manipulation of designating anarbitrary position, the image of the position is optimized andpresented, and thus a spot other than the site to be noted prepared inadvance is also easily observable.

[Slider Mode]

Next, a process performed when the user manipulates the slider button 83will be described. In this case, it is determined in Step S32 of FIG. 4that a change of the grayscale adjustment mode has been instructed, andthe slider mode is set in Step S3 of FIG. 2. Then, an image of theslider mode as illustrated in FIG. 14 is displayed in Step S31 of FIG.4.

In the example of FIG. 14, the letters that refer to the slider mode aredisplayed in the region 101. In addition, a scale 203 is displayed in aregion 201 and the letters that refer to gain which means informationindicated by the scale 203 are displayed in a region 202 on the leftside of the scale 203. A slider 204 is displayed on the scale 203. Aposition on the scale 203 of the slider 204 indicates the value ofadjustment gain of the image 71 displayed in the region 61. In theexample of FIG. 14, the ends on the left and right of the scale 203correspond to the minimum and maximum values of adjustable values.

An initial position of the slider 204 can be caused to correspond toadjustment gain of the image of the previous mode. For example, when themode transitions from the site selection mode illustrated in FIG. 8 tothe slider mode, the slider 204 can be displayed at the positionindicating the adjustment gain set for the image 71 of FIG. 8 on theinitial screen of the slider mode illustrated in FIG. 14. Of course, adefined gain initial position with respect to the slider mode can alsobe set.

The user can move the slider 204 to an arbitrary position on the scale203 by manipulating the user input unit 16. When the slider 204 servingas a manipulation unit is moved, it is determined in Step S33 of FIG. 4that a change with respect to the presentation image has been instructedand then the updating process of the presentation image is executed inStep S34. The updating process of the presentation image of this casewill be described with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart describing the updating process of thepresentation image in the slider mode. The adjustment unit 42 adjuststhe grayscale to a designated value in Step S91. In other words, gain ofthe image 71 is adjusted to the value of the position to which the usermoved the slider 204 on the scale 203 (optimized to the value at whichthe image is to be optimized). The adjusted image is supplied to theimage presentation unit 15 via the presentation image generation unit 14and displayed.

By adjusting the position of the slider 204 with the operation describedabove, the image with brightness instructed by the user is displayed.

It is also possible to set the initial position of the slider 204 to aposition at which fine adjustment for brightness is easy. FIG. 16 is adiagram illustrating another example of the presentation image in theslider mode. In the example of FIG. 16, the initial position of theslider 204 is set to the center of the scale 203. That is to say, inthis case, when the mode transitions from the site selection modeillustrated in FIG. 8 to the slider mode, for example, the value of theadjustment gain set for the image 71 of FIG. 8 is set to the center ofthe scale 203. As a result, the slider 204 is displayed at the center ofthe scale 203. In this case, the ends on the left and right of the scale203 do not necessarily correspond to the minimum and maximum values ofadjustable values, but correspond to the minimum and maximum values of apredetermined range that can be expressed on the scale 203. Accordingly,the position of the slider 204 is between the direction in which thevalue increases and the direction in which the value decreases, and thusfine adjustment becomes easy in both directions.

In the above description, brightness (i.e., gain) is set to be adjustedas image adjustment; however, contrast can also be set to be adjusted.FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a presentation image inthe slider mode. FIG. 17 is basically the same drawing as FIG. 16, butin the example of FIG. 17, the letters that refer to contrast ratherthan gain are displayed in the region 202. That is to say, theinformation indicated by the scale 203 is not brightness but contrast inFIG. 17. Also in this case, contrast can be adjusted to an arbitraryvalue as in the case of FIG. 16. For example, when the characteristic ofB of FIG. 10 is employed in the slider mode of FIG. 17, a greater numberof output grayscales can be allocated by moving the slider 204 slightlyto the right side from the center in FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another example of the presentationimage in the slider mode. In the example of FIG. 18, both of brightness(gain) and contrast are set to be adjustable. For this reason, a scale203-1 and the slider 204-1 for adjusting brightness and a scale 203-2and the slider 204-2 for adjusting contrast are displayed. In addition,the letters which refer to gain and contrast are displayed respectivelyin regions 202-1 and 202-2 corresponding to the scales 203-1 and 203-2.

In this example, both of brightness and contrast are adjustable bymoving the respective sliders 204-1 and 204-2.

Since brightness and contrast are set to be finely adjustable in theslider mode as described above, even when brightness or the like of animage for easy observation differs depending on an interpreter, eachinterpreter can perform optimum adjustment.

[Application to a Program of the Present Technology]

The series of processes described above can be executed using hardwareor executed using software.

When the series of processes is executed using software, a programincluded in the software is installed in a computer incorporated intodedicated hardware or various programs are installed in, for example, ageneral-purpose personal computer or the like that can execute variousfunctions from a network or a recording medium.

A recording medium that includes such a program is configured as aremovable medium including a magnetic disk (including a floppy disk), anoptical disc (including a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), and aDVD), a magneto-optical disk (including a Mini-Disk (MD)), asemiconductor memory, and the like that are distributed to provide theprogram to users, separate from the main body of a device.Alternatively, the recording medium can be configured as the storageunit 17 such as a flash ROM, a hard disk, or the like on which theprogram is recorded to be provided to users in a state in which it isincorporated into the main body of a device in advance.

It should be noted that the program executed by a computer may be aprogram in which the processes are performed in a time series manner inthe order described in the present specification, and may be a programin which the processes are performed in parallel or at a necessary timepoint at which there is a call or the like.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present technology are notlimited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variouslymodified within the scope not departing from the gist of the presenttechnology.

For example, the present technology can adopt the configuration of cloudcomputing in which one function is divided and shared by a plurality ofdevices through a network for its process.

In addition, each step described in the above-described flow charts canbe executed by one device and divided and executed by a plurality ofdevices.

Furthermore, when a plurality of processes are included in one step, theplurality of processes included in the one step can be executed by onedevice, or divided and executed by a plurality of devices.

[Other Configurations]

The present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

An eye-fundus image output device including:

a selection unit configured to select a site of a presented eye-fundusimage;

an optimization unit configured to optimize an image of the selectedsite; and

an output unit configured to output an image in which the selected sitehas been optimized.

(2)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (1), further including:

a generation unit configured to generate a presentation image that isobtained by combining a GUI that includes a manipulation unit that ismanipulated by a user when a plurality of grayscale adjustment modes areto be set with the eye-fundus image.

(3)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (1) or (2), wherein theGUI is capable of selecting, as the grayscale adjustment modes, at leasttwo of a mode in which the site is selected, a mode in which an image ofa predetermined range in the periphery of the designated position isoptimized, or a mode in which an optimization value of the image isdesignated.

(4)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (3), wherein the GUIincludes a manipulation unit that is manipulated when at least a maculararea or an optic disc portion is selected as the site in the mode inwhich the site is selected.

(5)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (3) or (4), wherein,when the mode in which an image in the periphery of the designatedposition is optimized is selected as the grayscale adjustment mode, theoptimization unit optimizes the image of the predetermined range in theperiphery of the designated position.

(6)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (3), (4), or (5),wherein, when the mode in which an optimization value of the image isdesignated is selected as the grayscale adjustment mode, theoptimization unit optimizes the image to have the designatedoptimization value.

(7)

The eye-fundus image output device according to any of (3) to (6),wherein, in the mode in which an optimization value of the image isdesignated, the GUI includes a manipulation unit that is manipulatedwhen the optimization value is to be designated.

(8)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (7), wherein, in themode in which an optimization value of the image is designated, themanipulation unit that is manipulated when the optimization value of theimage is to be designated is disposed at a position corresponding to avalue disposed in the immediately previous grayscale adjustment mode.

(9)

The eye-fundus image output device according to (7), wherein theposition corresponding to the value disposed in the immediately previousgrayscale adjustment mode of the manipulation unit is set to a center ofa variable range.

(10)

The eye-fundus image output device according to any of (1) to (9),wherein the optimization is performed by adjusting brightness orcontrast of the image.

(11)

An eye-fundus image output method including:

a selection step of selecting a site of a presented eye-fundus image;

an optimization step of optimizing an image of the selected site; and

an output step of outputting an image in which the selected site hasbeen optimized.

(12)

A program causing a computer to execute processes, the processesincluding:

a selection step of selecting a site of a presented eye-fundus image;

an optimization step of optimizing an image of the selected site; and

an output step of outputting an image in which the selected site hasbeen optimized.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 eye-fundus image output device-   11 image acquisition unit-   12 image processing unit-   13 control unit-   14 presentation image generation unit-   15 image presentation unit-   16 user input unit-   17 storage unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. An ophthalmic image processing devicecomprising: circuitry configured to obtain an instruction representingan area in an ophthalmic image, the area being designated by a pointerdisplayed on a display, adjust a grayscale of the ophthalmic image basedon the instruction, output the adjusted ophthalmic image, and display,within the ophthalmic image, images corresponding to a plurality ofgrayscale adjustment modes including at least a first mode in which thegrayscale of the ophthalmic image is adjusted based on the instructionand a second mode in which the grayscale of the ophthalmic image isadjusted by selecting a named site among a plurality of named sitesdisplayed in a site selection mode.
 2. The ophthalmic image processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the ophthalmic image includes atleast one of a macular area, an optic disc portion and a blood vesselportion.
 3. The ophthalmic image processing device according to claim 1,wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust brightness or contrast ofthe ophthalmic image based on the instruction.
 4. The ophthalmic imageprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is furtherconfigured to correlate, for each site selected within the siteselection mode, a grayscale adjustment mode from the plurality ofgrayscale adjustment modes.
 5. The ophthalmic image processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the received instruction includes anoptimization value of the ophthalmic image, and wherein the circuitry isconfigured to perform an optimization of the ophthalmic image based on adefault optimization value set according to a preceding grayscaleadjustment.
 6. The ophthalmic image processing device according to claim1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to display a siteselection menu including predefined areas of the ophthalmic image. 7.The ophthalmic image processing device according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of grayscale adjustment modes include a pointing mode and aslider mode.
 8. The ophthalmic image processing device according toclaim 7, wherein when in the pointing mode, and in response to a userselection of two points within the ophthalmic image, the circuitry isfurther configured to designate a range encompassing, at its border, thetwo selected points, as a target range for grayscale adjustment.
 9. Theophthalmic image processing device according to claim 7, wherein when inthe slider mode, the circuitry is further configured to display a gainadjustment scale on a screen, and in response to a user input, adjust again or a contrast of a selected portion of the ophthalmic image. 10.The ophthalmic image processing method according to claim 1, wherein thedisplayed images within the ophthalmic image include icons correspondingto the plurality of grayscale adjustment modes.
 11. An ophthalmic imageprocessing method comprising: obtaining, with circuitry, an instructionrepresenting an area in an ophthalmic image, the area being designatedby a pointer displayed on a display; adjusting, with the circuitry, agrayscale of the ophthalmic image based on the instruction; outputting,with the circuitry, the adjusted ophthalmic image; and displaying,within the ophthalmic image, images corresponding to a plurality ofgrayscale adjustment modes including at least a first mode in which thegrayscale of the ophthalmic image is adjusted based on the instructionand a second mode in which the grayscale of the ophthalmic image isadjusted by selecting a named site among a plurality of named sitesdisplayed in a site selection mode.
 12. The ophthalmic image processingmethod according to claim 11, further comprising: adjusting brightnessor contrast of the ophthalmic image based on the instruction.
 13. Theophthalmic image processing method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: correlating, for each site selected within the siteselection mode, a grayscale adjustment mode from the plurality ofgrayscale adjustment modes.
 14. The ophthalmic image processing methodaccording to claim 11, wherein the plurality of grayscale adjustmentmodes include a pointing mode and a slider mode.
 15. The ophthalmicimage processing device according to claim 14, further comprising: whenin the pointing mode, and in response to a user selection of two pointswithin the ophthalmic image, designating a range encompassing, at itsborder, the two selected points, as a target range for grayscaleadjustment.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding executable instructions, which when executed by a computercause the computer to perform a method, the method comprising: obtainingan instruction representing an area in an ophthalmic image, the areabeing designated by a pointer displayed on a display; adjusting agrayscale of the ophthalmic image based on the instruction; outputtingthe adjusted ophthalmic image; and displaying, within the ophthalmicimage, images corresponding to a plurality of grayscale adjustment modesincluding at least a first mode in which the grayscale of the ophthalmicimage is adjusted based on the instruction and a second mode in whichthe grayscale of the ophthalmic image is adjusted by selecting a namedsite among a plurality of named sites displayed in a site selectionmode.